We additionally see an additional button on the face of the right-hand Pleasure-Con, beneath the ‘Residence’ button. Whereas that is unlabeled within the teaser, it may see some type of “C-button” performance, which Nintendo utilized in numerous types on the N64 and GameCube up to now. It is also value noting one significantly pointed shot targeted on the left Pleasure-Con thumbstick rotating—may this be meant to focus on improved thumbsticks for the brand new era, probably incorporating Hall effect technology? Given the drift issues that plagued the unique Swap, it would be a sensible transfer on Nintendo’s half.
{Photograph}: Nintendo
The largest modifications to the primary console itself, past the elevated bodily measurement, are the addition of an additional USB-C port on the highest, and a brand new “U-shaped” kickstand. Whereas the previous is a superb addition, opening up the potential to help extra equipment, the latter does look a bit of flimsy—higher than the nub that propped up the unique Swap, however much less sturdy than the Switch OLED’s solid back panel kickstand.
Talking of the OLED Swap, and judging purely from the chunky bezel proven within the Swap 2 reveal, the brand new console could also be reverting to an LCD panel. Once more, this has been rumored for a while, however will likely be onerous to not see it as a little bit of a step backward.
The most effective takeaway from the reveal although is Nintendo instantly confirming backward compatibility with present Swap video games, each bodily and digitally (albeit with a number of as-yet unspecified exclusions). That is unbelievable information for gamers who’ve spent the higher a part of a decade increase their libraries, and one other instance of Nintendo’s quiet confidence and sense of continuity. If you’ve racked up 1.3 billion software program gross sales on your extremely profitable platform, why threat alienating these clients?
And that is seemingly Nintendo’s technique for Swap 2 in a nutshell—if it ain’t broke, why repair it? Gamers love the Swap as it’s, the corporate’s primary opponents are all emulating it to better or lesser extents, and all indicators level to “extra, however higher” being a compelling promoting level. It is taking part in it protected—but it surely does not must do the rest.
